Among the approximately 50 civic association and community organization members present at the city's Emergency Operations Center in Southbridge was Larry Smith, who heads the Washington Heights Community Association.

Smith called the meeting a "good first step," and said he wants to see more communication and cooperation between with the administration and residents.

"Learning to listen to others is hard sometimes because you may feel that they're criticizing instead as opposed to giving you constructive feedback," he said.

The meeting was intended to promote information sharing and introduce a strong neighborhoods plan, said Ken Briscoe, the city's Director of Communications and Cultural Affairs.

"Since it does cross neighborhood boundaries and it does cross civic association boundaries, it's best for us to get everyone in the room and really introduce it to them at their own level," Briscoe said.